Pressure container for liquefied gases



March 26, 1940. A, BROWN PRESSURE CONTAINER FOR LIQUEFIED GASES Filed July 1l, 193B Pares/fea Mar. 26, 1940 PATENT oFFlcE PRESSURE CONTAINER FOR LIQUEFIED GASES Andrew C. Brown, Wilmette, Ill., assignor to Compressed Industrial Gases, Inc., a corporation of Delaware Application July 11g, 1938, Serial No. 218,522

14 Claims.

This invention relates to a method of and apparatus for storing, transporting and dispensing liquid material volatile at normal atmospheric temperature and pressure and more particularly to liquefied gases which, when under atmospheric pressure, can be stored in the liquid phase only when their temperatures are far below C.

One of the objects of the invention is the provision of a new and improved container which l combines the desirable features of a pressure will not be subjected to unequal pressure on their p exterior and interior sides except for the weight of the liquid.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved liquefied gas container-having an outer shell for resisting pressure developed within the container by the evaporation of the liquefied gas contained therein and an inner receptacle of comparatively thin material for containing the gas in the liquid phase together with means for maintaining an equalized pressure and a desirable temperature gradient between the interior of the receptacle and the atmosphere.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved container for gases in both the liquid and gaseous phase that is provided with a receptacle for the liquefied gas and has -one or more gas containing spaces surrounding the receptacle that are in communication with the receptacle and that contain gas adsorbing and absorbing material i'or refrigerating the inner receptacle, providing a proper temperature gradient between the inner receptacle and the atmosphere, and for reducing the thermosyphon action of the gas to a minimum.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved container for liquefied gas having a plurality of chambers surrounding the same for containing the evaporated gas together with means for removing such gas for commercial uses as desirable or as occasion may require.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved liqueed gas container that is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture, that may be readily assembled and that is ecient in use.

)ther and further objects and advantages of the invention will appear from lthe following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which- Fig. 1 is a vertical section of a portion of the apparatus showing the container in vertical section, and with parts broken away; and

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the apparatus showing the connections in transferring the liqueed gas and in which parts are broken away.

Referring now to the drawing, the reference character 5 designates the container in which the liqueiied gas is adapted to be stored or transported and comprises an outer or pressure resisting receptacle 6, an inner receptacle l for the liqueiied gas and an intermediate receptacle 8, all of which are of suitable v`forms and constructions. In the form of the 'construction shown, which is by way of example only, the outer receptacle 6 is spherical and its upper portion is provided with ,an elongated neck or projection 9 25 having an opening II in its upper end. The receptacle 6 may be of any suitable construction and material so long as it is adapted to resist considerable pressure at low temperatures. The material is that conventionally employed for gas container cylinders such as nickel or a nickel alloy or the like. This receptacle may be made of any -approved type but for the purposes of convenience of assembly, the receptacle is originally made with anopening I2 in its lower por- 35 tion which is of suicient width to permit the insertion of "an assembly comprising the remaining containers, as will presently appear.

.The opening' .I2 isv adapted to be closed by a lower section I3 when the parts have been as- 40 sembled and is then secured in position by any suitable means such as the Weld I4. 'I'he edges are arranged at an lacute angle to the radius of the receptacle whereby materially increased surfaces are exposed to the weld material I4. A base or support I5, which may be cylindrical in form with a rolled lower edge I6, is attachedlto the lower side of the receptacle 6 for supporting the same as clearly indicated on the drawing.

The vessel for containing the liquefied gas is mounted within the pressure resisting receptacle 6 and comprises what may be termed the inner receptacle or container which may be of any appropriate form and pref aably, though not necessarily, has its wall Il concentric with the insulating chamber I8 which is' adapted to be illed with gas adsorbing or insulating material 40. The .intermediate receptaclel is spaced inwardly from the pressure resisting receptacle 8 to f orm an outer chamber I8 adapted to be lled with heat insulating material il.'

The inner receptacle 1 is of the Dewar type; that is, Ait has a very thin wall and is spaced from the intermediate wall 8 and in order to support the same, it is provided with an elongated stem or vneck 2l extending upwardly through the opening H in the projection 9 and is threaded at its upper end as at 22 and is of such material and form as to reduce conduction of heat tcthe inner receptacle to a minimum. The upper end of the neck is held in the opening Il by a nut or threaded sleeve 23 which engages the threaded portion of the neck and rests on the upper surface of the projection 8. The upper end of the neck 2| is provided with an annular flange 24 having an upwardly extending rib 25 which is adapted to engage in a corre- Y sponding groove or'circular depression 26 on the lower surface of the extension l.

A suitable gasket 21 may be interposed between the rib 25 and the bottom of the groove 2i in order to form a gas-tight joint between these members. The nut or sleeve 28 has its upper end extending above the neck 2l for receiving a threaded plug 28 which is adapted to be screwed downwardly into the sleeve 28 as clearly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing. The plug 28 is preferably provided'with a circular groove 28 for receiving a circular lip or projection 8| on'the upper end of the neck 2l. A suitable gasket 22 isadapted to be clamped between the upper end of the lip or projection 8l and the bottom of the groeven .for forming a gas-tight joint at this point. A cap 23, internally threaded at its lower end, is adapted to be attached to the upper exteriorly threaded end of the sleeve or nut 23 for enclosing the plug 28. It will thus be seen that the neck 2l is adapted to support the inner receptacle 1 with in the pressure resisting receptacle I.

The wall I1 of the receptacle 1 is made very thin and is preferably of an alloy thatdoes not become brittle at the temperature of the liqueed gas contained therein, such, for instance, as silicon bronze, or the like. In lorder that the wall may beof thin material, it is necessary that means be provided for equalizing the pressure on the inner and outer sides of this wall. It isalso desirable that means also be provided for normalizing the heat on'the two sides of the wall of the receptacle 8 and to so insulate the wausssndn thstaminimumorneatwmbe liliv Vtransferred to the wall l1.

Any suitable arrangement may be employed forthis purpose. In the form of the device selected to illustrate one embodiment of the invention, which is by way of example only. the. intermediate container 8, together with suitable insulating material on each side thereof,V together with a heat exchansins'device. is used for thispurpose.

The intermediate receptacle 8 is adapted to containthe'innerreceptacle1 andinturnis eontainedintheouterreceptaclet. Itswalls arespacedfromthewallsoftheinnerandouter receptaclestoform insulatingspaces Iland I8.

Inorierthattheinnerreceptacle1maybepoat-Y Wdwlihlnthelntermedhtereptackllh preferably is, mineral wool or other filter mateausm pressure resisting 'receptacle 8 andthe inter- Y assembling the device, the latter is made in sections. As shown, the intermediate receptacle comprises an upper section 24 and a lower section 85 which, after the insulating and adsorbing materiall and the inner receptacle are placed in position therein. are overlapped and welded together as at I8. The upper section 34 terminates in an integral upwardly extending imperforate dome section 81 in communication Vwith the receptacle 8 and has an opening 2l in-its upper portion through which an enlarged portion of the stem 2l of the inner receptacle extends. A suitable weld tl rigidly connects the dome to the neck 2l and forms a gas-tight joint therewith.

The intermediate receptacle 8 is also provided with an upwardly extending dome 4I of foraminoim material which surrounds the dome section 81. The space Il between thedome sections 31 and 4| is preferably lled with ilbrous insulating material 42 as mineral wool, or the like, which functions as a lter for preventing entrainment ofthe insulating material contained in the insulating space or chamber I8 when gas is removed from said chamber, as will presently appear.

The dome shaped member 4i is rigidly connected at its lower end to the receptacle 8 as by being welded thereto but is not in direct communication therewith. The dome member 4l extends upwardly into the neck or projection 9 of the outer receptacle and is of such diameter as to engage the side walls thereof. It is provided with an axial opening 43 for receiving the enlarged end of the neck or stem 2| below the flange 24 and is welded to said flange, as clearly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing.

It is desirable that means be provided for refrigerating the cuter surface of the inner receptacle in order to retard the evaporation of the liqueed gas contained therein. In order to accomplish this function, the insulating chamber I8 is filled with material that has a maximum adsorbing property or is filled with a mixture of gas adsorbing and insulating material such, for instance. as magnesium carbonate and activated alumina, or, if desired, this space may be filled entirely with gas adsorbing material Vsuch as activated alumina or with suitable insulating material alone. In any case. the material use'd is of such poromty as to permit a ready equalization of pressure on both sides of the wall "without any objectionable effects of thermo-syphon action due to the difference of temperature on opposite sides of the wall of this chamber, as will appear hereinafter.

Appropriate means are provided for permitting an equalization of the pressure on opposite sides of the.wall"i1 of theinner receptacle. In the form -of the device selected to illustrate 'one embodiment of the invention, which is by way of example only, one or more conduits 44 are provided adiacent the neck 2l and are secured in the upper portion of the wall I1-and extend upwardly in the dome-member V81 vand have their upper ends shielded'by cup member held in position by the insulating material V48 which iilis the dome member 21 and surrounds the cup member 4I. 'Ihe insulatingmateriai 48 maybe, and

rial which will prevent the entrainment of the insulating material 4l the heat exchanger,aswillpresentlyappear.-

ThetubesMextendupwardly-fromtheupper portlonoftheinnerreeeptacleandaxeelonsated the agitation of the liquid incident to its handling during transportation of the container.

Suitable means are provided for normalizing the temperature on opposite walls of the receptacle 6 and at the same time equalizing the pressure on both sides of the walls of the intermediate receptacle 8. In order to normalize the temperature on opposite sides of the wall of the outer receptacle 6 and establish a gradient temperature between the inner receptacle and the exterior of the outer receptacle and incidently raising the temperature of the gas contained in the outer insulating chamber I8, a heat exchanging device 41 extending to the exterior of thevcontainer 5 is provided. This heat exchange device 41 comprises a conduit or metal tube 48 having its inner end rigidly secured in the upper end Aof the dome member 31 and extending through the neck 9,

being coiled around the neck or projection 9 of the outer receptacle and having its outer end rigidly secured in the neck or projection 9 of the outer receptacle as clearly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawing. The tube 48 places the interior of the dome 31, and with it the interior of the chamber I9, in communication with the outer insulating chamber I8 thereby permitting equalization of the pressure on opposite sides ofthe Walls of the receptacle 8. A guard in the form of an inverted cap 49 extends about the coil of the heat exchanger 41 and is provided with openings 5III in its upper wall for permitting circulation of air over the tube 48. The lower edge of the shield or cup member 49 is spaced from the Wall of the outer chamber and its top portion is provided with an opening for receiving a boss `on the extension 9. The threaded sleeve 23 holds the shield or cup member in position.

Suitable means are provided for removing the liqueed gas from the container. As shown, a conduit having one and secured in the lower portion of the Wall of the inner container and extending outwardly through the intermediate container and the outer container is provided with a valve 52 for this purpose. In order to limit the pressure developed by the evaporated liquid gas Within the container 5, a safety valve 53 on the upperend .of the projection 9 of the outer receptacle 6 is provided. This valve may be set to operate at any suitable pressure'so that when the pressure exceeds the predetermined amount, the valve will open and permit gas to escape from the interior of the outer receptacle 6 through this valve.

In the use of the device, the'liqueed gas being supplied to the inner container 1 will slowly evaporate and as it evaporates, it will pass over into the insulatingl chamber I9 through the passages 44 for equalizing the pressure on -both sides of the wall I1 of the receptacle and as the pressure increases, gas will pass from the dome member 31 through the heat exchange device 41 into the insulating chamber I8 thereby equalizing the pressure between the chambers I8 and I9 and since the gas has been passed through the heat exchanger, the temperature of the gas in the outer insulating chamber I8 will be above that in the chamber I9 but will be below'that of the atmosphere so'that there will be a heat gradient between the temperature of the liquid on the inside and the atmosphere on the outside of the container. In other words, the heat willbe normalized on the opposite sides ot the outer container and the pressure will be equalizedi on both sides of the walls of the inner and intermediate containers, the pressure being resisted solely by v the wall-of the outer container 6.

Suitable means are provided for removing gas from the container 5. As shown, a valve 54 is em. ployed for this purpose. The valve has its lower end xed in the upper wall of the projection or neck 9 and is provided with a tting 55 for attachment to a conduit 56 which in turn is connected to a hand valve 51 in communication with a gas containing cylinder 58. In supplying gas to the cylinder 58, the parts are connected as just described and as shown in Fig. 1 and when the valves 54 and 51 are opened, the gas, under pressure, will ilow from the chamber I8 through the insulating material contained in the dome 4I and through the valve and passage 56. Simultaneously with this movement, gaswill pass from-the inner insulating chamber I9 to the outer insulating chamber and from the receptacle 1 into the chamber I9 for equalizing the pressure. Gas will thus be supplied to the storage cylinder 58 at a higher temperature than if taken directly from the inner chamber 1.

In` Fig. 2 is shown, more or less diagrammatically, means for supplying gas in a liquid phase tothe container 5 from a similarcontainer 5a. 'Ihe valves 52a and 54a of the container 5a containing the liquid gas, being closed during the transporting of the liquid, are now connected to the valves 52 and 54, respectively, of the container 5 to be supplied with the liquid gas. Assuming that the container 5 contains more or less liquefied gas and that the pressure therein .is greater than that of the container 5a, the valves 54 and 54a arev connected by a conduit 58 which has a branch conduit 59 having a valve 6I therein. The valve 6I is placed in communication with the gas line 62 which has a valve 63 therein and also has a branch conduit 64 with a connector 65 thereon which may be attached to the valve 66 of a gas storage cylinder 61., 4

In order to reduce the gas pressure in the container 5, the parts are connected as described above, thevalve 63 is closed, the valves 86, 6I and 54 are opened to permit the escape of the gas from the container 5 into the cylinder 61 thereby reducing the pressure in the container 5. The valves 66 and 54 are now closed and the valves 52 and 52a may be opened whereby the `pressure in the container 5a will force the liquid into the container 5. The pressure in the two containers may be equalized, if desired, by opening `the valves 54 and 54a but if it is not desired to equalize the pressure in the two containers after the liquid is transferred, thevalves 52 and 52a are closed and the connectors between the containers may then be removed.

It is understood that the outer or pressure resisting receptacle 5 is of such material and so constructed as to be capable of resisting high pressures, as much as 200 atmospheres, for instance. It is not uncommon for pressures from 100 to l50'atmospheres to be developed within the receptacles 1 and 8 during handling and 'transportation of the container, but since the evaporation of the liqueiled gas and consequently the same remains In the liquid phase to a very large extent after high pressure develops within A these containers.

It is thought from the foregoing, taken in `con nection with the accompanying drawing, that the construction and operation of my device will be apparent to those skilled in the art and that changes in size, shape, proportion and details of construction may be made without departing from the spirit 'and scope of the appended claims.

passage and cup member, and means for refrigerating .the outer wall of said inner receptacle, said means comprising gas adsorbing material within said space.

2. In a container ior storing gases in both the liquid and gaseous phases which comprises an outer pressure resisting receptacle, -an inner receptacle having a thin wall for containing liquefled gas spaced inwardly from the walls oi said outer receptacle to form a chamber enclosing said inner receptacle, and means including a heat exchanging device in communication with said inner receptacle and extending to the exterior of said outer receptacle for supplying evaporated liqueiied gas at an elevated temperature to said chamber from said innerreceptacle.

3. In an apparatus of the class described, an outer pressure resisting receptacle, an inner receptacle for containinga liqueiied gas of low boiling point supported within the walls of said vessel and spaced therefrom, gas adsorbing material in the space between said receptacles, a heat exchange device for placing said receptacles in communication, said device extending about a portion of the exterior of said outer receptacle, and means for conducting gas from said inner vessel to said adsorbing material.

4. In an apparatus of the class described, an outer pressure resisting receptacle, an inner thin wall liqueed gas receptacle, al plurality of gas containing chambers surrounding said inner receptacle, means for conducting gas evaporated from the liquid in said inner receptacle to each of the chambers for equalizing the pressures therein, said means comprising a heat'exchange 'device extending about portions or said outer receptacle.

5. In an apparatus of the kind described. an outer receptacle for resisting gas pressures, an'

inner receptacle adapted'V to hold liqueiied gas, the walls of said receptacles being spaced apart to form an insulating chamber between the walls of said receptacles, a porous insulating material .,insaid space, means for lling said chamber with gas at a` low temperature and for retaining the same therein at high pressure, and a tube for conducting gas from said inner receptacle to said outer receptacle, said tube extending to the exterior of said outer receptacle.

6. In a container for liqueiied gas, an outer receptacle adapted to resist the pressure of gases, an inner receptacle having thin walls adapted to hold gas in a liquid stage, an intermediatereceptacle having a thin wall intermediate the walls of said other two vessels, the construction being such as to leave a space between the wall of said inner vessel and said intermediate wall.

and a space between said intermediate wall and said outer wall, said inner vessel opening to the iirst-named space, a heat exchanger, the ilrstnamed space opening through said heat exchanger to the other of said spaces, and porous insulating material in said spaces.

'1. In an apparatus o! the kind described, a container for gas in liquid and gaseous stages comprising an outer receptacle adapted to sustain the pressure of the gases, an inner receptacle adapted to hold the liquefied gas, an intermediate receptacle having a wall intermediate the walls of said other two vessels, said walls being concentric and spaced apart to form an -inner and an outer insulating chamber, insulation in said chambers, a passage between said inner receptacle and said inner chamber for equalizing the pressure of gas on the walls of said inner receptacle, a passage between said inner and outer chambers, said outer receptacle having a cylindrical upstanding projection, said last-named passage extending about said upstanding projection on the exterior thereof, and a discharge passage for gas in communication with the interior of said upstanding cylindrical projection.

8. In a container for gas in both liquid and gaseous stages, an outer receptacle adapted to sustain the pressure of the gases, an inner receptacle adapted to hold the liqueed gas, a third receptacle having a wall intermediate the walls of said other two receptacles, the construction being such as to leave a space between the wall oi said inner vessel and said intermediate wall, a space between said intermediate wall and said outer wall, said inner receptacle opening to the iirstnamed space, a heat exchanger, the mst-named space opening through said heat exchanger to the 'other of said spaces, porous insulating material in sa.idspaces, adsorbent material inthe mst-named space, and means for withdrawing gas from the last-named space. v

9. In a container ior gas in both liquid and gaseous stages, an outer receptacle having a pressure resisting wall and provided with an upvstanding projection forming an outer restricted space, an inner liquid containing receptacle having an 1 elongated neck .extending upwardly through said projection, means for securing said neck to 'said projection, an intermediate receptacle, the walls of said intermediate receptacle forming an upwardly extending dome, mineral wool in said dome, a conduit extending from the wallA of said inner receptacle into said dome', a domemember of foraminous material surrounding said mst-named dome, spaced therefromand secured to the walls of said intermediate receptacle, mineral wool in the space between said dome and dome member, a conduit extending from said inner dome through said dome'member and upstandingprojection and coiled about the' exterior of said projection and having its inner end extending through the wallet-"said upstanding projection, said inner and intermediate receptacle being spaced apartto form an inner and an outer insulating chamber, magneslum-carbonate and activated atuminain'said inner chamber and magnesium carbonate v'vifthlnV said outer chamber whereby the pressure'developed by the evaporation of the'liqueiied gas in l said inner=containerwillbe equalised'onboth surtacesotthewallsotddinnor andintu- /mediate receptacles, and the temperature on both sides of the wall of said outer receptacle will be normalized. y

10. In a container for transporting and storing gases in liquid and gaseous phases comprising an outer receptacle, a plurality of inner receptacles, said receptacles having substantially concentric walls, and means for equalizing the internal pressures within said receptacles regardless of the pressures developed, said means including a tube having one end in communication with one of said inner receptacles and its other end in communicationl with the` outer receptacle and having its central portions coiled about a portion of said outer receptacle.

11. In an apparatus of the kind described, an outer receptacle having .thick walls for resisting pressure of gases, an inner receptacle supported within said outer receptacle in spaced relation thereto and adapted to hold liquefied gas, the walls of said receptacles spaced apart to provide a gas receiving space, a porous insulating material in the space between said receptacles, an intermediate receptacle between said inner and outer receptacles, a passage between said inner and intermediate receptacles and a passage between said intermediate and outer receptacles, whereby the pressure on opposite sides of the walls of said inner and intermediate receptacles will be equalized and the temperature of the gases within said receptacles will be' gradually warmer from the innermost on outward.

l2. In anv apparatus of the kind described, an outer receptacle provided with an upwardly extending neck portion having an integral closure, said closure having an axial opening and provided on its inner side with an annular recess surrounding said opening, a gasket in said opening, said receptacle having heavy walls for resisting pressure of gases adapted to be contained within said receptacle, an inner receptacle adapted to hold liqueed gas, said inner receptacle having an elongated neck on its upper portion extending upwardly through said opening and having a flange extending about the same, said shoulder having an upwardly extending rib engaging said gasket, means .for clamping said rib against said gasket, means engaging said neck for supporting said inner receptacle from said outer receptacle with a space about said inner receptacle, a porous insulating material in said space, said inner vessel being in communication with said space, and an adsorbent material in said space.

13. In an apparatus of the class described, a container for gas in liquid and gaseous phases comprising an inner receptacle, an outer receptacle surrounding said inner receptacle, an intermediate receptacle within said outer receptacle and surrounding said inner receptacle and having its walls spaced from the walls of said inner and outer receptacles, and means including intercommunicating passages between said inner and intermediate receptacles and between said intermediate and outer receptacles for equalizing the pressure within said receptacles regardless of the pressures developed within any of said receptacles.

14. A container for storing and transporting Iiqueed gases comprising an outer pressure resisting receptacle, an inner receptacle for containing a liquefied gas surrounded by said outer receptacle and spaced inwardly thereof to form an insulating space between said receptacles, means for placing the interior of the inner receptacle in communication with the space-between `said inner and outer receptacles for equalizing the pressure "on opposite sides of the `wall of the inner receptacle, said means comprising a heat exchange device carried by said outer receptacle exteriorly thereof, means for conducting liquefied gas from said inner receptacle,v

and means for conducting gas from said space between said receptacles.

ANDREW C. BROWN. 

